Launching an online casino comes down to one early decision: do you already have a platform, or do you need one? The answer sends you down one of two routes: a turnkey casino platform or a game aggregation integration.
Route 1: Turnkey casino platform
A turnkey platform gives you the whole operation in one package: a branded front end, back office, player management, payments, bonus and CRM tools, and game content already connected. Many turnkey set-ups include a sportsbook on the same wallet.
Best for:
- New brands starting from zero
- Teams strong in marketing and acquisition, not in software development
- Operators who want one partner instead of a dozen suppliers
What to check:
- How much of the front end can carry your own brand and design
- Which payment methods and currencies are supported for your markets
- What bonus and CRM tools are included
- Who handles hosting, maintenance and support, and at what hours
Route 2: Game aggregation
If you already run a casino platform, an aggregator connects your lobby to many studios through one API. Instead of integrating and contracting each studio separately, you integrate once and switch providers on as needed.
Best for:
- Operators with an existing platform or in-house tech team
- Brands that want to expand their lobby quickly
- Businesses entering new markets that need local currencies
What to check:
- Quality of the API documentation and staging environment
- The integration process: IP whitelisting, callback setup, test and certification
- Whether you get a dedicated integration contact, not just a ticket form
- Currency coverage, including local currencies and crypto
Turnkey vs aggregation at a glance
| Turnkey platform | Game aggregation | |
|---|---|---|
| You need your own platform | No | Yes |
| Branded front end included | Yes | Your own |
| Payments, bonus and CRM tools | Included | Your own |
| Content from many studios | Included | Included |
| Typical fit | New brands | Existing operators |
Don't forget licensing
Whichever route you choose, you'll need the right licence for your target markets. Offshore jurisdictions such as Anjouan and Curaçao are common starting points. Licences are granted by the authorities, so plan the application alongside your technical launch, not after it.
The bottom line
If you're starting from scratch, a turnkey platform gets you to market with the fewest moving parts. If you already have a platform, aggregation is the fastest way to a bigger, better lobby. Either way, choose a partner with a real integration team and 24/7 support. You will need both on launch day.
Velocis Gaming offers both routes, plus sportsbook, custom games and licensing support. Talk to our sales team about yours.